ML22060A061
| ML22060A061 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000113 |
| Issue date: | 03/04/2022 |
| From: | Richard Jervey NRC/NMSS/DFM/FFLB |
| To: | Pennsylvania State Univ, University Park, PA |
| Rick Jervey NMSS/DFM/FFL 301-415-6201 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML22060A060 | List: |
| References | |
| EPID L-2022-NFA-0000 | |
| Download: ML22060A061 (3) | |
Text
SAFETY EVALUATION REPORT DOCKET NO.: 70-0113 LICENSE NO.: SNM-95 LICENSEE: The Pennsylvania State University
SUBJECT:
APPROVAL OF RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER (EPID-L-2022-NFA-0000)
INTRODUCTION By letter dated January 3, 2022, the Senior Vice President for Research at Penn State University, Lora G. Weiss, Ph.D. notified the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission of a change of Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) associated with License No. SNM-95, effective January 3, 2022.
DISCUSSION The regulation in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Paragraph 70.22(a)(6) states, in part, that the contents of a license application must include, The technical qualifications, including training and experience of the applicant and members of his staff to engage in the proposed activities Pennsylvania State University (Penn State, PSU) is in possession of a Special Nuclear Materials (SNM) License, SNM-95, which was last renewed for a 10-year term expiring in 2028.
Penn State also holds a byproduct materials license, Pennsylvania No. PA-0100, with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Effective January 3, 2022, Dr. Weiss appointed a new interim RSO, Aaron Wilmot, due to the resignation of Yuanqing Guo. Aaron Wilmots resume was attached to Dr. Weiss request in order to document that his experience and qualifications meet the requirements of the position.
The PSU license renewal application, dated August 1, 2014, (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML14219A483) included the following requirements of the PSU radiation protection program:
Radiation Safety Officer: This position is required to have an advanced degree in Health Physics, physics, science or a related area. Also required are multiple years of experience in managing a medical or university health physics program.
The RSO is responsible for the following duties:
- Managing the RSO staff
- Managing the radiation safety program
- Ensuring compliance of the radiation safety program with State and Federal regulations, and NRC license conditions
- Providing training and recommendations to individuals who use radioactive materials Enclosure 1
- Acting as the agent of the University Isotopes Committee (UIC) to ensure that the use of radioactive material is consistent with recommendations and requirements of the Committee
- Serving as representative of the University to regulatory agencies to act in licensing matters
- Providing corrective action when deficiencies are identified, and
- Reviewing procedures, policies, and practices as part of the annual report to the UIC.
STAFF REVIEW AND EVALUATION Mr. Wilmots experience, as documented in the resume included with the licensees submittal included several key items for qualifying as the RSO for Penn State.
He was assistant RSO from September 2018 until his appointment as the RSO. In that capacity he supported the Penn State Radiation Protection Program in the following ways:
- Delivered radiation safety training to new and incoming researchers, radiation workers, and principle investigators
- Led initiative to improve and update radiation safety program procedures and documentation
- Established mechanisms and a process to allow for tracking and trending of survey and audit findings
- Led and executed the setup and application of two new NaI gamma spectroscopy systems
- Successfully transitioned annual radiation safety training to video-based training
- Shielding designer for several new x-ray facilities, including a 450 kV industrial radiography unit
- Reviewed shielding design and construction of a new facility for a 14 MeV neutron generator
- Assist with licensing amendment request development and submittals
- Helped to lead a team responsible for developing compliance escalation program for the Environmental Health and Safety Department
- Teamed with the Industrial Engineering Program and the Penn State Learning Factory on projects to help students apply Six-Sigma and Process Improvement to radiation protection operations His resume also documented that he received a Master of Science Degree from Oregon State University in health physics, and that he is currently a certified Health Physicist.
Mr. Wilmots resume demonstrated that his background and experience met the requirements of the PSU license through his certified Health Physicist status, Professional Engineer license, RSO training, advanced degree in Radiation Health Physics, and over 15 years of experience in health physics and radiation protection.
Aaron Wilmot has the requisite knowledge and experience to perform the responsibilities of an RSO in the PSU environment. The NRC staffs review finds that he possesses the qualifications, including training and experience pursuant to the requirements of 10 CFR 70.22(a)(6).
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW A proposed action is excluded from an environmental review under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(v) if it is an amendment to a license issued pursuant to 10 CFR Part 70 authorizing the use of radioactive materials for research and development and for educational purposes. The change requested meets this requirement.
The NRC staff determined that the proposed action does not adversely impact public health and safety or the environment and is categorically excluded from the requirement to conduct an environmental review. Therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required for the proposed action.
CONCLUSIONS As stated above, the NRC staff finds that the new RSO, Adam Wilmot, is qualified by reason of training and experience to use license material for the education, research, and training activities authorized by the license.
PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTOR Richard A. Jervey, NMSS/DFM 3